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Countdown to Whistling Straits: 37 Days to Go

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PGA of America

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Published: Wednesday, July 07, 2010 | 9:26 a.m.

On Sunday, Aug. 15, 2004, with the golf world tuned in and some 44,000 fans charged to a new level, hard-working Vijay Singh earned a PGA Championship at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wis., a course that was then the longest (7,536 yards) in major championship history.

Singh won his third major championship and second PGA Championship, the hard way. His closing 4-over-par 76 was the third highest final round by a major championship winner, and good for a 72-hole total of 8-under-par 280.

Singh made his lone birdie of the final round, but a timely one, sinking a five-foot putt on the first hole of a three-hole aggregate score playoff. He added two additional pars to defeat Chris DiMarco and Justin Leonard. “It was sad to see someone win it the way I did,” said Singh. “The putter kind of fell asleep. I got new life when (Leonard) missed the putt on the last hole. I knew the line I had on 10, and I was happy to see I had the same line in the playoff. The wind came from a different direction and the holes played longer today.”

Singh became the fourth oldest to win a PGA Championship at 41 years, five months and 23 days. His closing 76 was the highest score by a major championship winner since Reg Whitcombe’s 78 at Royal St. George’s in the 1938 British Open.

Golf’s best professionals have been competing for more than 90 years for the Championship’s coveted Wanamaker Trophy. Past Champions span both the legendary and recent stars of the game: Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen, Byron Nelson, Sam Snead, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh and Phil Mickelson.

Tickets will be available for purchase through the 2010 PGA Championship Website, www.PGA2010.com, or by phone at (800) PGA-GOLF.